Taking the term "breast pump" to a whole other level

Sep 27, 2012

This is perhaps one of the more unusual news releases that have come across my desk, but as the daughter of a two-time breast cancer survivor and the niece of someone who died from the disease, I thought it worthy to share.

Vaccon Co., a manufacturer of vacuum pump products for the robotics, automation and process control industries, has introduced pink-colored pumps in honor of Joan Ferri, owner of the business and a two-time breast cancer survivor. The sale of the pump is being done in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Vaccon is offering its customers a special pink color on its J-Series Cylindrical Venturi Pumps with 10% of every purchase to be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

That's another reason I wanted to share the release. What's nice about BCRF is that supposedly 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF is directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs. BCRF remains one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country. So I thought it was nice to see that the BCRF will benefit instead of Komen, which has over-saturated the breast cancer fundraising market, if you ask me.

The “Pink” J Series Pumps are identical to Vaccon's standard J Series pumps in every way except for the color. All dimensions and performance data are exactly the same including vacuum level, vacuum flow, air consumption and evacuation speed.

J Series pumps are single stage venturi vacuum pumps that allow ingested contaminants to flow through the pump without clogging, thus ensuring continuous operation. Constructed of a single material, with no seals or moving parts, J Series vacuum pumps are virtually indestructible.

Standard J Series pumps are made of anodized aluminum, available in 5 different sizes from 1 to 6 in. and can generate vacuum levels up to 28 in.-Hg (948 mbar) and vacuum flow levels up to 28 scfm (793 lpm). Available in a variety of materials including stainless steel, Teflon, PVC and Delrin, they are reliable and safe to use in adverse operating environments, food and drug handling applications and caustic materials.

Ellen Ferri Reid, President of Vaccon, says the decision to create and ultimately sell the special pink vacuum pump was an easy one. “While Vaccon started because of my father’s belief that Venturi vacuum pumps were the answer to improving the manufacturing processes, it was my mom who worked tirelessly to not only support the family but the company and its employees,” Reid explained. “My mom has been and is the backbone of the family business. With the 40th anniversary of Vaccon upon us, coupled with the fact that she’s also a breast cancer survivor, we decided there was no better way to recognize her battle with cancer plus the health of the family business, than to sell pink pumps in her honor.”

Vaccon worked with Absolute Metal Finishing in Norwood, Mass. to create the special pink coating for its J-Series pumps.

Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. In October 2012, BCRF will award $40 million to 197 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and China. For the tenth time since 2002, it has earned 4 stars from Charity Navigator. Additionally, BCRF is the only cancer organization rated an “A+” by CharityWatch. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

To order a “pink” J Series pump – simply add the word “Pink” to the order by calling Vaccon at (508) 359-7200 or visiting Vaccon.com.